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"A good library will never be too neat, or too dusty, because somebody will always be in it, taking books off the shelves and staying up late reading them." - Lemony Snicket
Clara & Abbie (best friend, cousin & classmate) invited me to ride bikes to the library this afternoon. These two girls are on a reading marathon. Two weeks ago they both read the first book from the "Unfortunate Events". This week they were searching for books by Gail Carson Levine. There is something so exhilarating about walking into the library. So many books, so many options. You would have thought these two girls had walked into the candy store they were so thrilled. I had a pretty good chuckle when I noticed another girl sitting on a bench listening to her head phones and playing her game boy. Apparently not everyone is awakened by the mere display of books.
I got to help with the etiquette dinner for the Young Men/Young Women group in our church. All of the kids (ages 12 to 17) enjoyed an Italian meal at our makeshift restaurant. I was a waitress. They were served in courses: tomato basil soup, salad, breadsticks, lasagne with green beans and raspberry cheesecake for dessert. The tables were set with cutlery for each course. As the kids arrived they were grouped in parties of 8 and then seated at a table. While the meal was going on one of the leaders talked about various rules for eating & table manners. At the end each table was given a "bill" to which they had to properly fill out with tip and total. I was impressed that all of the kids had their napkins in their laps and they were actually enjoying a civilized meal together. It was a very fun evening (even if Spencer complained about having to wear nicer clothes)!
I'm always amazed at my mothers boundless energy. Last week she called to say that she bought me two boxes of peaches at the Farmers Market. When I showed up at her house to pick up the boxes I found my almost 79 year old mother and her 84 year old husband Paul canning peaches AND pears. It was such a pleasant sight. Two good friends working away enjoying a little music from the radio. I think this is what makes them both stay so young. They are ALWAYS busy, ALWAYS finding ways to enjoy the world around them and how nice that they can do these things together.
A few days later I asked Lilly if she would like to bottle the peaches that Grandma Beck gave us. Lilly was thrilled as she ran for her bandana & apron.
She asked me if she looked like a "real pioneer girl"? Right now she has visions of being Laura Ingalls Wilder. We worked together side by side. It wasn't necessarily fast work, but so satisfying and rewarding. Together we put up 10 quarts of peaches and stored up memories to last us through the winter. 
Last night we attended the O.C. Tanner Gift of Music concert at the Conference Center. It was a marvelous musical masterpiece. This concert is a "gift" to our community and there is no charge for the tickets. It featured the Mormon Tabernacle Choir, Utah Symphony & special guests Denyce Graves and Brian Stokes Mitchell. The theme was "An American Songbook". After spending a year abroad it was fun to listen to some great American classics like "When the Saints go Marchin' In" and "This Land is Your Land". We took this photo from the balcony during intermission. One quote I loved from the program said, "Music is essential. It is universal. It brings goodness, light and beauty into our lives". I couldn't have said it better myself!
Fall is in the air & the leaves are beginning to change color.
The the vine ripened tomatoes give us one last taste of summer. Yum!
Today marked the first day of this new school year that all of my kids were in class. In France la rentree comes in early September as well. It has considerable cultural significance coming after the long summer break and it is the time when academic, political, social and commercial activity begins again in earnest. Same here in the USA...September 1st blew in with a chill in the air (everyone wanted a sweater to walk to school in the morning), new academic goals were set, the national presidential election is in full swing, our social calendar is booked AND we have spent a whopping amount of moola trying to get everyone outfitted and set up for this new year!
Lilly had to wait one week after all of the big kids started school to have her first real day of kindergarten. She couldn't have been more excited. She walked to school hand in hand with her cousin and friend.
When she came home she announced that she wants to stay in Ms. Traughber's class FOREVER! How could any other teacher compete with that for a compliment?!
The doorbell rang this morning just before the girls left for school. "So are you ready to loose your tree?" he said. "What? You're doing it today?! Right now?!" I was totally unprepared. While living in France this past year our beloved and beautiful weeping birch in Utah had died. Many friends and neighbors made long-distance phone calls to prepare us that our lovely tree was gone. Weeping birch trees were dying all over the Salt Lake Valley and ours held out longer than most. I grabbed the camera and had one last photo snapped before the branches themselves were snapped away for good. Just before the real damage occurred I looked up to the highest branches and watched about 4 birds perched in their favorite spot. Little jay birds maybe? I'm sorry but you'll have to find somewhere else to sit and sing your song.
I started singing a little bird song when I was only 14 months old. I was a whistler like my dad. My brothers and sisters nicknamed me J bird. I've found lots of places to whistle my tunes. So for today I'm starting some new reflections on a new "branch". Voila!
"A good library will never be too neat, or too dusty, because somebody will always be in it, taking books off the shelves and staying up late reading them." - Lemony Snicket
